NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met June 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER/ROLL CALL-Lanark City Council met in regular session at the Lanark City Hall at 7 p.m. Roll call taken by Marilyn Heller, City Clerk, showed Alderpersons present were Kevin Barnes, Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Haley Grim and Ed Stern. Mayor Mark Macomber was present and presiding.

Others present were: Jill Luning, Nino Novakovic, Ed Schreiner, Trever Knutti, Bryan Hardacre, Treasurer Debra Throop, Chief Troy Randall, Attorney Ed Mitchell and Clerk Marilyn Heller.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Kevin Barnes.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to accept the minutes of the May 21, 2024 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye Votes; Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Haley Grim, Kevin Barnes, and Mark Macomber.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- Ed Schreiner asked the council if there was anything they could do to help with the trucks driving down Claremont St. during all hours to use the Elkay parking. He shared his concerns with their speeding, not stopping at the stop sign and engine breaking down Claremont. After a discussion with the council, Chief Randall will talk with Elkay and patrol.

NEW BUSINESS/GAMING AND LIQUOR LICENSE – POSSIBLE ACTION – Jill Luning and Nino Novakovic are looking into the possibility of opening a gaming parlor (Celebrations Gaming) in their building on the corner of N. Broad and E. Carroll. They would need a gaming license for the max of 6 terminals and a class D liquor license.

Alderperson Kevin Barnes presented his resignation letter that Attorney Ed Mitchell put together, effective immediately.

Bryan Hardacre was then suggested to fill the open Alderperson position. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to appoint Bryan Hardacre to fill Kevin Barnes open Alderperson position for Ward 1. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye Votes; Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Haley Grim, and Mark Macomber.

ORDINANCE TO ANEX PROPERTY TO THE CITY – POSSIBLE ACTION – Attorney Ed Mitchell shared that Farmer National Bank is buying a lot next to the Law Jones Funeral home to build a bank branch and would like to annex into the city. He put together an ordinance to present to council. A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson

Haley Grim to approve Ordinance 1000 to Annex Certain Real Estate to the City of Lanark. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye Votes; Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Haley Grim, Bryan Hardacre, and Mark Macomber.

DELINQUENT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE ACTION – Clerk sent out 19 shut off letters for this month and has already received partial payments on three. There are still an additional 5 on payment plans. No Action taken at this time.

HERITAGE CENTER POLICY – POSSIBLE ACTION – Economic Development Committee held a meting to discuss the Heritage Center. They recommended increasing the rental to $125.00, leaving the price $0 for nonprofits during the week. The committee agreed that cleanings should only take place before a paying party rental and not after short nonprofit meetings. They agreed to remove all wash cloths and hand towels to cut out washing and replace with disposable sponges. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Colins to increase the Heritage Center Rental from $75 to $125 effective June 4, 2024 not to include current paid rentals. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye Votes; Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Haley Grim, Bryan Hardacre, and Mark Macomber.

ZONING ORDINANCE – POSSIBLE ACTION – Tabled

APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE – POSSIBLE ACTION – Attorney Ed Mitchell prepared and presented the appropriations ordinance using the information from the passed budget. A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve ordinance # 1001; Appropriations Ord. for the Fiscal Year Beginning April 1, 2024 and Ending March 31, 2025. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye Votes; Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Haley Grim, Bryan Hardacre, and Mark Macomber.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- None

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR Attorney Ed Mitchell – confirmed the council can add a nonvoting member to committees. The mayor reached out to Attorney Ed last week about a resident’s tree that has been chained together by property owner but has now split and become a public safety concern. Attorney Ed shared that the tree is on the owner’s property but it can be declared a nuisance and the city can then remove it as it can fall anytime on a person or vehicle. The property owner has to be notified and given a minimum of 48hours to handle himself. We have a quote of $700 to $900 to take it down but does not include clean up and removal. Alderperson Lynn and Maintenance Manager Jason will meet and notify home owner. Clerk Marilyn – looked into going to the IML conferences with treasurer Deb in Chicago. It would cost $1800.00 for the three days of conferences, food, travel, and lodging. The council gave a general consensus for Clerk to register when it opens up June 17th. Alderperson Lynn- vacant house, 507 E. Franklin, needs mowed. Chief Randall is currently working on getting in touch with owner to notify. Alderperson Haley - received confirmation that the rail road will be working on the two timber crossings in town this summer. She thanked clerk for getting her in contact with the right person to get this addressed. Also, Helm is coming to work on the gravel patch next to the Broad St. crossing. Alderperson Bryan – was welcomed and informed of the online training he will need to take and to the clerk will get him the information and supplies he needs. He was informed that he will take over the committees that Kevin Barnes was on as well. Alderperson Ed - would like to find a replacement for himself, possibly Quin Kosmecki as he ran against Ed. Alderperson Brad – Thanked the city maintenance crew, the police, and fire department in regards the fire at JD’s. Mayor Mark – informed the council of the water running over the weekend after the fire as the valve was broken. It has been now shut off but while digging it up a tank was found underground so by law we had to send a certified notice to property owner.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to adjourn at 8:32 p.m. Motion carried by 6 voiced aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-06042024.pdf